Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/598

 580 RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE

To walk in honesty, good sirs, Of thought and deed and word!

Which shall befriend our latter end. . And who shall judge the Lord?

"MY NEW-CUT ASHLAR"

/l Y NEW-CUT ashlar takes the light

Where crimson-blank the windows flare. By my own work before the night, Great Overseer, I make my prayer.

If there be good in that I wrought Thy Hand compelled it, Master, Thine Where I have failed to meet Thy Thought I know, through Thee, the blame was mine.

The depth and dream of my desire, The bitter paths wherein I stray Thou knowest Who hast made the Fire, Thou knowest Who hast made the Clay.

Who, lest all thought of Eden fade, Bring'st Eden to the craftsman's brain Godlike to muse o'er his own Trade And manlike stand with God again!

One stone the more swings into place In that dread Temple of Thy worth. It is enough that, through Thy Grace, I saw nought common on Thy Earth.

Take not that vision from my ken Oh whatsoe'er may spoil or speed. Help me to need no aid from men That I may help such men as need!